Chapter Six: The First Lesson

Sarah woke in a cold sweat, bloody, violent images escaping from her mind before she could really grasp them. She could not quite recall exactly what she dreamt, but she did not wish to. Without another thought, she dressed quickly and glanced at herself in the mirror. The bruising around her neck wasn't noticeable, unless one of was looking for them. Her dress did nothing to hide them so the best she could do was just hope no one saw.

Before she left, she checked multiple times to make sure she had everything she would need for her day. She wouldn't dare make another trip to the abandoned hallway alone. Slowly opening the door, she waited for a moment before bolting down the stairs. Once she reached the elves corridors, her pulse calmed and she could breathe freely once more.

"Hey, Sarah!"

Rowan's smiling face pushed toward her, slipping through groups of elves effortlessly. Sarah felt a surprising wave of comfort from that friendly, familiar face that made her start momentarily. This hadn't happened before.

"Hello, Rowan," she whispered a little self-consciously when as he pulled beside her, her voice rasped slightly from the troubled sleep.

"Whoa there, rough night?" he winked, but his face sobered when he took in her weak smile, his tone shifting to serious concern, "Sarah, what happened?"

Her eyes glanced around the hall; too many ears here, the elves were notoriously gossipy in the kitchens.

"Later," she promised, shifting closer to him.

"Yes, no doubt," his voice was serious, determined.

He moved closer, so that they walked the same pace, shoulder to shoulder, then he slipped his hand into hers. She realized that most would not be able to see the gesture, instead only see them walking closely which would not be strange considering their friendship.

The warm touch of Rowan's hand surprised Sarah and new, strange feelings overtook her. She had never considered this, a relationship with Rowan, especially with recent events. She always imagined her stay Underground would be short term, somehow she would find a way back. She had treasured Rowan's friendship above everything else in this hard time, but never imagined him something more…something romantic. Now, though, she looked at him differently, if hesitantly. He was gorgeous, hilarious, strong, determined, and so much more…everything she could imagine desiring in a man.

As they strode into the kitchen, Rowan discreetly detangled their hands and hurried toward the band of cooks preparing the Goblin King's meal. Sarah paused and watched him for a moment longer, his ease with others and easy laugh….no, she would not think about this now. She was going to have to face Jareth once again; she had been mentally preparing herself for this since last night. She could only hope that he would not be as threatening this time around.

Sarah did her daily rituals without issues, preparing the platter, checking the tea, and generally helping around the kitchen while waiting for the meal to be ready. She could not help but get more and more anxious as the cooks dished up the meal. How could she face him?

But there wasn't much time for contemplation because, as usual, breakfast was ready for the Goblin King promptly—as he liked. She considered taking her time, dawdling on the stairs, but feared incurring his wrath. So, she forced herself to walk at a steady pace until she reached the large oak door. Steeling herself, she knocked once and entered.

"Hello, Sarah," his voice purred from the bed.

Sarah could not resist looking over, her breath caught—he was not alone. She had heard of the Goblin King's exotic taste in women and the stories of the other elf girl's experiences, but she had never seen anyone in the room besides Jareth.

The woman sat up lazily, propping herself up on one elbow and took Sarah in with sleepy eyes. She was beautiful, no denying that. Her skin was a lovely porcelain tone, her face was delicate punctuated by strangely dark blue eyes, and her wild curly brown hair was rumpled from what looked like a busy night.

"Who is this?" her voice was lyrical with an exotic lilt that Sarah could not place, she assumed she was a creature of this world…

"Sarah, a maid and constant annoyance," Jareth yawned wolfishly, "but I believe she will prove interesting."

"Oh," the woman looked Sarah up and down once more, "she doesn't look like much trouble."

"Never judge one by appearance, dear Rainah, I promise you she can be quite….off-putting,"

Jareth grinned at Sarah as if this was some hilarious joke that they shared. Sarah returned his glance steadily, she didn't really know what to make of the situation, but she seemed safe in the presence of Rainah, so she moved to give Jareth the tray.

"Ah, no I won't be having breakfast quite yet. I believe we shall be otherwise occupied," the Goblin King turned to his guest, who returned his smile.

"Well, before we…continue, I'm going to freshen up."

And with that, Rainah stood-clothed in only a sheet, stretched luxuriously, and padded through a door Sarah could only assume lead to a sort of bath room.

Slowing turning away, Sarah tried to make a subtle break for the door—hoping Jareth would be too preoccupied with his guest to much care for taunting her. Unluckily, though, he wasn't quite that satisfied.

"Oh, wait, dear Sarah. Put that down and come here."

Sarah squeezed her eyes tight for a moment and calmed herself, "you will be fine, you will be fine." She placed the silver tray down on a small table and moved near the bedside, not within reach but close enough to realize that the Goblin King, thankfully, was wearing deep brown breeches. Still, her face grew hot under his scrutiny.

"So little, demure Sarah. What do you think of my guest?" at her silence, her persisted, "oh, please, do speak your mind. I'm quite anxious to hear your opinions!" At that, the Goblin King reclined, hands behind his mussed hair.

"She is quite beautiful," Sarah whispered, not daring to say more—this playful Jareth was not the fearsome King she had seen last night. She would not fall for his ploy again and say something that would give him reason to hurt her.

"She is. A Faerie princess, a piece of work. Not likely to actually marry a prince or king, much too grating and tedious for all of that, but great fun in the bedroom. I think she actually believes I am a suitor, but she will learn…"

Sarah felt a knot of revulsion in her stomach, she hadn't particularly liked the woman but no one deserved this kind of cruel treatment, not even the most arrogant Faerie princess.

"That's not right," Sarah murmured, unable to conjure enough courage to say more.

The Goblin King laughed openly, "Of course it isn't 'right', dear one, but it is oh so much fun!"

Rainah strolled into the bedroom again, her hair tame and the sheet tied snuggly around her body. She glanced at Sarah again through slitted eyes, almost as if she was competition. Even with the nasty look, Sarah couldn't control herself. Though she may regret it soon, she had to say something.

"He's using you, he doesn't have any interest in you," Sarah said, standing straight and speaking confidently for the first time for the day, "you'd best leave while you can."

Riana started, her eyes losing the lazy gaze they had maintained even since Sarah had laid eyes on her. Her mouth fell open for a moment and she looked between Sarah and the Goblin King, apparently trying to weigh Sarah's words. After a moment, she straightened and assumed a near regal pose.

"Thank you, Goblin King, for your hospitality, but I do believe I shall be taking my leave."

With that, she grabbed a small green bag from the foot of the bed and left the room with an amount of dignity surprising for a woman garbed only in a bedsheet.

Sarah watched her go, keeping her back to Jareth. She couldn't bear to look at him, afraid she would see the monster she had become acquainted with recently.

"I was rather hoping you would pull a stunt like that, dear one," his voice was a terrifying purr, she could hear him moving behind her but she couldn't bring herself to turn, "the provocation is all the fun."

Suddenly, she was grabbed around the waist and thrown roughly to the bed; she felt a burning in her arm as she became tangled in the sheets. Jareth stood at the edge of the bed, grinning down at her with pointed teeth. That eerie gleam was seeping into his eyes; she could not control her terror any longer, the fear of being alone once more with this monster.

"No, s-stop!" she shrieked, trying to free herself of the sheets.

"Not quite yet, lovely, I believe you have a little of a lesson to learn. Since I can't seem to convince you to work solely under my power, I'm so sorry to have to resort to force."

In a flash he crouched over her, malicious grin on his face. She opened her mouth to scream, hopefully someone would hear her and help her, but he caught her intent and quickly placed a finger on her throat, stealing her voice.

"Oh, no Sarah, we don't want anyone interrupting us," his voice was deep and throaty.

She found herself unable to move, whether from him or from her own terror she could not tell. He ran his hands down her side roughly, pulling at the fabric of her gown as he went. His paused at her ribcage and grinned.

"I suppose I don't want to start out too difficult for you."

Then he squeezed his fingers deep into her flesh and pushed hard. Sarah's world went black and gasped voicelessly as she fell unconscious, "Oh Jesus, I'm going to die."

Too quickly, unnaturally she was snapped back to reality with Jareth's harsh face pressed near hers, "Sorry, lovely, can't escape me so easily."

Sarah's eyes rolled back and her mouth gaped as she felt the excruciating pain in her midsection, he had crushed her lower ribs, "There is no way I can survive this." Already she could feel the damage inside, she must have massive internal bleeding—her ribs felt as if they had caved in upon themselves and destroyed the vital organs they should have been protecting.

He seemed to read the fear in her eyes, "oh, never fear my love, you shall live, but this shall last just a little longer, I think," he gazed at her, eyes hooded, and rested his hands on her sides once more "do you feel this, love?" he rocked her violently, sending waves of pain that threatened to shut her mind down again.

"I shall return your voice, but don't waste your time screaming for help, dear one, I assure you it is of no use, none can hear you," he touched a finger to her throat and she could not controlled the shriek which escaped her, he closed his eyes and breathed it in, "ah, so much better."

He let her lay they for a moment, she tried to fight off the waves of pain but could do nothing but breath hard and squeeze her eyes shut and hope for mercy soon.

"Oh, precious thing, I don't think you can take much more," his voice was sickeningly sweet and that made Sarah's eyes open. This couldn't be the worst he could do.

She hated him with all of her soul. She would not give in to his cruel games so easily. Pain is a hard master, but could be overcome. Right now, on the brink of death, she had nothing to fear.

"No," though her voice shook through the pain, she was fueled by her new conviction, "I believe, Goblin King, you could do so much better."

For a moment, he simply stared at her, but he slowly grinned, "Perfect."

Without a moment's hesitation, he lifted her small body and hurled it against the wall nearest the bed. Sarah felt her nose crushed and skull crack with impact in sharp agony, but then she felt no more. She was whole again. She sat up hesitantly, no pain—blood was sticky on her face from her previously broken nose, but no more seemed to be flowing. Jareth had healed her.

She looked up to meet his strange gaze, he was sprawled across his bed smirking at her, "You know, my love, the best quality in a human is how easily they are broken and repaired. So much endurance…"

The threat was there, Sarah didn't have the heart to meet it at this time. That battle was for another time. She was afraid of him, she would be an idiot if she wasn't, but Jareth wasn't a man who could be beaten by sheer confidence and grit. No, everything would have to be expertly timed, a feat Sarah wasn't sure she would be up to, but for now, she had to wait.

"Run along, clean yourself up and go about your day," with that he turned, clearly ending the conversation.

Sarah stood and looked down at herself—there was some bruising, but there was no pain. Only the major injuries seemed to have left their mark on her skin, she could only hope her face was unmarked.

She stood and made her way quickly to the door. She would need a good hour in her room before she was prepared for her day and to think of some sort of explanation.

"Sarah," his voice stopped her in her thoughts, she couldn't bring herself to turn back, "that was no where near the worst I could do."

With a final fortifying breath, Sarah pushed forward, never looking back.

Author's Note: I'm back! Sorry for the wait! Thanks for being so patient! In all honesty, this chapter was very difficult to write--I'm not quite satisfied with it, I will likely edit it a few more times, but I wanted to get it out there before I lose my creative juices!

Thanks for reading!